Dealing with flood or water damage?

What to do after a flood

Checked against FEMA and other official sources · Last reviewed October 8, 2026

Checklist: what to do if your house floods

Work through these steps in order. Each one is explained further down the page.

• Wait until authorities say it is safe to go home. If the house is damaged, have it checked by a building inspector before you go in.
• Do not go inside until you are sure the electricity is off. If you smell gas, turn off the main gas valve if you can, open windows, and leave right away.
• Run generators and other gas engines outdoors only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents.
• Put on boots, gloves, goggles and a mask before you touch anything.
• Report the loss to your insurance provider as soon as possible.
• Photograph and video all damage, with wide shots, close-ups and the water line, before you clean or throw anything out.
• Basement full of water? Wait until surface flooding has receded, then pump out about 1 foot a day.
• Open doors and windows, and use fans and dehumidifiers once the electricity is safe.
• Take outside anything wet with floodwater that can't be cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours.
• Throw out food that touched floodwater. Don't drink well water until it is tested.
• If your county is in a declared disaster, apply for FEMA help.

[1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Stay safe first: electricity, gas, carbon monoxide and gear

Ready.gov's first rule is to "Return home only when authorities say it is safe." CDC adds: "If your home has damage, do not reenter until it has been examined by a building inspector for safety." Try to return in daylight, and use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, not candles or gas lanterns.

Electricity. EPA says: "Do not enter your home until you are sure the electricity is off." If you can reach the main power switch from a dry spot, turn it off. If you would have to step into standing water to reach it, CDC says to call an electrician to turn it off. Never touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.

Gas. CDC says: "If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave your house immediately."

Carbon monoxide. Generators, pressure washers and other gas engines must never run inside your home, basement or garage. CDC says to keep generators "outside, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents."

Floodwater. Avoid wading in it. Ready.gov warns it "can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris," and that downed power lines "can electrically charge the water." CDC lists human and livestock waste and hazardous chemicals among the things it may carry. Snakes and other animals may also be in your house.

Protective gear. Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots. CDC's mold cleanup advice is to put on gloves, a mask and goggles to protect your eyes, nose, mouth and skin. If you must enter floodwater, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles.

Wash your hands after contact with floodwater. Avoid floodwater if you have an open wound.

Some people should stay out entirely. Ready.gov says children should not take part in disaster cleanup work. People with asthma or other lung conditions, or a weakened immune system, should not enter buildings with leaks or mold they can see or smell. [1][2][5][6][7][8]

Document the damage for your insurance claim

Report the flood to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Your insurer will assign an adjuster to inspect the property after you file.

FloodSmart, the official National Flood Insurance Program site, says to "Take clear pictures and videos of damaged items before cleaning, fixing or throwing them out." Get wide shots and close-ups of walls, floors and furniture. Show the water levels on walls, furniture and appliances. Record serial numbers from electronics and appliances.

Keep small samples of damaged materials, such as carpet or drywall, for the adjuster. If you start repairs before your claim is paid, keep every receipt. Once you have photos, throw away anything that is a health risk, like spoiled food or moldy cushions.

See how to file a flood insurance claim for deadlines and the adjuster visit. Standard homeowners policies treat flood differently from other water damage; see homeowners insurance and water damage. [3][4][5]

Flooded basement: pump out slowly

Don't rush to empty a flooded basement. FEMA's guidance for homeowners says: "Wait to pump until surface flooding has stopped or receded below basement level. Pump only 1 foot of water each day to reduce the potential for basement wall collapse." EPA also warns that "removing water too quickly may make the walls and floor crack and collapse."

Turn off the main power before you unplug wet appliances. FEMA says most appliances that sat in more than a few inches of water should be inspected by a qualified repair technician before you use them. Furnaces, boilers and air conditioner compressors "must be cleaned by licensed technicians before turning them on."

Check your coverage before you count on a payout. FEMA says NFIP basement coverage "is limited." It can include cleanup such as pumping out trapped floodwater and items like furnaces and water heaters. It excludes most belongings stored there and finished flooring and walls. See what flood insurance covers. [9][13][14]

Dry out within 24 to 48 hours

Speed matters because of mold. EPA says: "It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth." If the house sat closed up for several days after the flood, CDC says to assume it has mold.

• Open all doors and windows while you work. Leave as many open as you safely can when you leave.
• When the electricity is safe to use, run fans and dehumidifiers.
• Remove wood baseboards so they and the walls behind them can dry.
• Before you rebuild, everything in the home must be completely dry.

For mold you can already see, read mold after water damage. [5][6][9][13][15]

What to throw out and how to clean the rest

CDC's rule: "Anything that was wet with flood water and can't be cleaned and dried out completely within 24 to 48 hours" "should be taken outside." Take photos of everything you discard for your insurance claim.

FEMA's guidance gives typical examples:

• Carpets and rugs that can't be thoroughly dried and cleaned.
• Most wallboard (drywall) and most insulation.
• Porous materials and other contaminated objects that can't be thoroughly washed or laundered.

Before you tear out walls or floors, know that lead paint may be present. EPA says: "Do not remove asbestos-containing floor tile even if it is damaged." Hire an asbestos professional instead.

Clean hard surfaces with water and detergent. To disinfect, FEMA suggests a solution of "no more than 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water." Bleach does not work on porous materials. Never mix bleach with ammonia, because it creates toxic vapors. Don't paint or caulk over mold, since that will not stop it growing. [5][9][13][15]

Food, well water and septic systems

Food. CDC says to throw away food that may have touched floodwater. That includes food in cardboard containers (including juice, milk and baby formula boxes), containers with screw caps, snap lids or twist caps, and home-canned food. If the power went out, a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for up to 4 hours. A full freezer lasts 48 hours, and a half-full one 24 hours. Some commercially canned food can be saved by cleaning the cans. CDC's rule: "When in doubt, throw it out!"

Private wells. "If extensive flooding has occurred or you suspect that the well may be contaminated, do not drink the water," says CDC. Ask your local or state health department how to disinfect it. CDC says a well or pump contractor should do the work. Water with fuel or chemicals in it will not be made safe by boiling or disinfection.

Septic systems. EPA says: "Do not use the sewage system until water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house." Don't pump the tank while the drainfield is flooded or saturated. Have the tank professionally inspected if you suspect damage. [10][11][16]

Get help from FEMA

If the President declares a disaster, the declaration lists which areas can get federal help. Check the current FEMA disaster declarations for your county and its deadline. You can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

FEMA help is not a substitute for insurance, and it cannot cover all of your losses. File with your insurer as well. Our FEMA disaster assistance guide explains what FEMA can pay for, and how to apply and appeal.

EPA notes that rebuilding can begin only after you get the required local permits. [3][7][12][17][18]

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